HOME PROFILE: Victorian offers many options in Beverly

Friday

Sep 15, 2017 at 3:23 PM

Real estate properties typically fall into less than a handful of categories: single- and/or multi-family homes or condominiums. This spacious Victorian-style residence can be any or almost all of these and that’s what makes it so exciting. Located in Beverly’s Ryal Side neighborhood, this large four-bedroom (possibly more or/or less) two-level condominium with two full bathrooms can be almost anything you want.

By Barbara Forster / GateHouse Media

ADDRESS: 21 Winthrop Ave., Unit 1, Beverly

BEDROOMS: 5

BATHROOMS: 2 full

LIVING SPACE: 2,136

PRICE: $325,000

Real estate properties typically fall into less than a handful of categories: single- and/or multi-family homes or condominiums. This spacious Victorian-style residence can be any or almost all of these and that’s what makes it so exciting.

Located in Beverly’s Ryal Side neighborhood, this large four-bedroom (possibly more or/or less) two-level condominium with two full bathrooms can be almost anything you want. Currently a rental property that could remain as such is an option but making this a stunning single-family townhouse-like residence is just as viable.

The home, which dates to 1880, is filled with period details including high ceilings, great moldings and hardwood floors. Rooms are big and yes, the possibilities are endless.

A few examples

The dining room has appealing features to spare. Wide paneled wainscoting almost six-feet high topped by a wide plate rail, double crown molding and deep bump boards with bead trim are definitely eye-catching details. But size — as in very, very big — tends to earn rave reviews for this room where seating six, eight or more comfortably is more than doable.

Admittedly compact but workable, the kitchen with a one-over-one window is another bright space. The really good news is that with the flexible floor plan, creating a chef’s dream kitchen is not only doable but could be such a fun project.

Wide pine floor boards accented with 12-inch deep detailed bump boards are one focal point in the large living room; the four-window bay is another. This also has a large walk-in closet with wrap around shelving plus a three-drawer built-in bureau.

An extra treat is just beyond a multi-glass pane door: a fully paneled three-season sun room.

Within the current setup, an adjacent room is a bedroom. This very large space has excellent closet space with both hanging areas and open shelving. A "back" room that at one point — remember this home has a storied history — was a kitchenette has potential as a sensational office with great natural light. Of course, this could also be transformed into an en suite bathroom. In fact, repurposing rooms or redoing the floor plan are viable projects. One option is to restore the traffic pattern to a more classic Victorian style. After all the period features are there. On the other hand, creating a 21st Century layout (with or without incorporating Victorian details) is another way to go and would work just as well.

What’s on two?

The back stairs landing, which is big and bright (and ready for a comfy chair) thanks to a large six-over-six window, also has a closet. In fact, big, bigger and really big are apt descriptions for everything on the second floor — from room size to ceiling height, which is well over eight feet high.

All bedrooms on this level are, well, big. Angled ceiling lines, however, give each one a retreat-like feel even though the overall ceiling height is excellent — well over eight feet high. Even better, all the windows and closets are large while hardwood flooring includes fir and pine floor boards.

The full bathroom on this floor, which has a stand-up shower, is gigantic and can easily earn spa status. Here, too, the angled roofline adds character.

A massive back room (with fir floor boards) has a closet that runs the length of the room. By the way, that is in addition to another large room that has been transformed into a walk-in closet/dressing room.

Versatility and potential are the essence of this level, which can be reconfigured countless ways depending on preference and/or need.

The additional flexibility is that so much infrastructure like plumbing is already in place. A master en suite bathroom, a shared bathroom and/or multiple en suite bathrooms are well within the realm of possibility. Couple that with intact period details like original four-panel doors — there are many — great bump boards and other moldings plus the fabulous floors and this level can be outstanding.

If you wondered about location, don’t. It’s great. The commuter train station is about a half mile in one direction and Obear Park in the other.

Oh, two parking spots are part of the deal.

Contact The Boston North Group (Brandon Collins, Heather Murray or Jack Brown) of Harborside Sotheby’s International Realty at 518-222-1141 or by email: brandon.collins@sothebysrealty.com; heather.murray@sothebysrealty.com; or jack.brown@sothebysrealty.com.